New Delhi (India) June 19: With an unusual Hindi farewell for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he concluded his visit, French President Emmanuel Macron bid a fond adieu to the Indian Prime Minister in a move that quickly grabbed the attention for his attempt to speak to Modi in the Indian language. Macron said, "Priya mitra Narendra, mujhe bahut khushi hai, daure ke liye swagat karte, France Bharat ki dosti amar rahe.”
Macron Bids Farewell in Hindi
After his humorous experiment with different languages, the French president moved smoothly back into English to express thanks to PM Modi for his visit.
He said, "Priye mitr Narendra Modi. Thank you for your visit. Thank you for our friendship. It was a very fruitful visit. France loves you. We are looking forward to seeing you again soon, in February. Jai Hind.”
His heartfelt send-off came after a two-day itinerary at the G7 Summit and bilateral interactions, where PM Modi engaged in crucial discussions and meetings with leaders.
France Reaffirms Support for India
Mr Macron highlighted France's continued commitment towards India's economic progress and national aspirations, while also extending the support for India in the global arena.
A notable engagement was on June 14 where PM Modi and President Macron met at the historic Villa Kerylos in Nice, marking their first one-on-one interaction since the Indo-France ties were elevated to a "Special Global Strategic Partnership".
Leaders Discuss Defence and Cooperation
Both leaders reviewed advancements in various sectors, including defense, technology, space and economy, with an agreement to intensify collaborative efforts on defense platforms and technologies.
They also explored deeper cooperation in space initiatives such as human spaceflight and greater private sector participation in the sector. Earlier, in his address at the inauguration of Bharat Innovates 2026, President Macron had formally felicitated PM Modi on becoming India’s longest continuously-serving elected Prime Minister, lauding his leadership and the strength of Indian democracy.
Macron also spoke of France’s faith in India’s innovation drive and the unique benefits it gained from the country’s demographic dividend and rich talent pool.